Patient Comfort

We believe little things make a big difference and we strive to make a really difficult time for patients and families a little easier.

We do this by providing thoughtful comforts to help make the hospital feel a little more like home.

From a cup of tea to help pass the time while waiting on appointments, to giving patients space away from their beds and busy wards with our comfy day rooms. Everything we do is aimed at making a really difficult time a little easier.

Take a look at just some of the ways the little things are making a big impact below.

Financial Support

For many people, a cancer diagnosis can have a knock-on effect on several areas in their lives, and patients might be faced with a dramatic reduction in their income. To help patients deal with the extra costs that cancer can bring about, Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Patient Grants Programme is available for anyone who is currently undergoing treatment at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre in Belfast or the North West Cancer Centre in Derry / Londonderry. We work closely with the social work teams to try to ensure that we can provide a helping hand for any patient if they need it. If you are in need of support, ask your treatment team to contact the hospital's social work team who will be able to apply to Friends of the Cancer Centre for financial support on your behalf.

Complementary Therapies

Our four therapists offer care to patients by providing clinical aromatherapy, reflexology and adapted massage treatments. We also have a range of online support available on our YouTube channel. For further information regarding complementary therapy treatments, please contact the Belfast Trust Cancer Support Service on 028 9615 0077 or at [email protected]

Go to our online resources

Exercise & Relaxation Classes

Exercise can be a great way for patients to alleviate some of the stresses and side effects of treatment. There are Pilates, Yoga & Tai Chi classes available weekly for patients and their carers. In-person classes take place at the Macmillan Support and Information Centre, and you can attend for a total of twelve weeks. Call the Belfast Trust Cancer Support Service for more info on 028 9615 0077.

Centre Support Officer

Aimee plays a key role as part of the team at the Belfast Trust Cancer Support Service. She participates in triage of patient queries and directly contacts patients to provide information and support, including referral and signposting to supportive services. She also provides administrative support for the reception team in the centre.

Social Worker for Teenagers & Young Adults

Laurena joined the team in 2020 as our Social Worker for Teenagers & Young Adults in the Cancer Centre. She works as part of the wider TYA service to ensure that the complex and specialist needs of the young people in her care are provided for. Laurena works with both patients and their carers, family and friends, to safeguard and support them, helping to make a difficult time a little easier.

Physical Activity Coach

Joe, our Physical Activity Coach, works to support patients before, during, and after treatment to remain as active, fit, and healthy as possible. Joe offers twelve-week group or one-to-one sessions with tailored support. During these sessions, Joe works to help patients increase their fitness, strength, posture, mobility, and flexibility. Joe has also developed online classes to support patients which you can access via our YouTube channel.

Go to online resources

Homely Comforts

Many patients and families are faced with long stays in the Cancer Centre and we are here to make sure that their stay is as comfortable as possible. Our refurbished day rooms in the Cancer Centre are a haven away from busy wards and hospital beds where you can relax in a soft chair, watch some television, enjoy a cup of tea or simply chat to family and friends in a more homely environment

Time for Tea

Thousands of people attend the NI Cancer Centre or North West Cancer Centre each day, and it can often be a long wait for treatment. To help pass the time, Friends of the Cancer Centre provides over 50,000 complimentary cups of tea or coffee each year. It's not a lot, but it makes a big difference.

Patient Pagers

While they might look simple, the patient pager becomes a familiar feature for any patient coming to the Cancer Centre. The pagers are given to patients on arrival and when the doctor or nurse is ready to see them, the pager vibrates and flashes. The pager has a wide radius which gives the patient freedom to move around the hospital, get a coffee or bite to eat, safe in the knowledge that they won't miss their appointment.

Wheelchairs

Transporting patients safely between different wards and departments is a full-time job for the hospital's porters. The charity bought a batch of wheelchairs to ensure that one is available when a patient needs it, and each of the wheelchairs can cover up to 6 miles in a day. This also helps to avoid delays in other departments by ensuring that patients within the hospital are on time for appointments.

Patient Gardens

Hidden in the middle of the Cancer Centre is an oasis for patients and staff away from the hustle and bustle of treatment and appointments. The gardens provide an escape where patients can enjoy some peace and quiet while surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants. Each year, Friends of the Cancer Centre purchases the flowers, plants and some of the ornamental features in the garden and they are maintained by volunteers.

Gifts for Patients

Many people will find themselves celebrating their birthday, Christmas Day, or even getting married, at the Cancer Centre. With the help of staff on the wards, we buy our patients a gift to help them mark their special day. In the past we have helped a couple get married in the hospital, given gifts to young patients on their 18th birthday, and even sent Santa to the wards on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts.